Question 276809
First of all, this population is increasing, not declining. So the population will never get down to 15,531.<br>
Recently someone posted pretty much the same problem. It had the same years and populations and the problem was to find k. I found k and the resulting equation. <A HREF="http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions/Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions.faq.question.276236.html">Click here</A> to see it.<br>
Then, to find the population in 2005, take the equation and substitute 31 for t (since 2005 - 1974 = 31 and 1974 is the "zero" year for the equation). Then use your calculator to find the population in 2005.